Inking mechanism.



G. H. GRAHAM INKING MECHANISM APPLICATION FILED 050.112.1913. RENEWED JAN. 12.19n5.

Patented July 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

BEER

WI N58858:

G. H. GRAHAM.

INKING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 18. 1913. RENEWED JAN. 12,1915. 1,1 9@,M.. Patented July 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS SHEET 2- IN l/E/V TOR titan.-

onon en'nf GBAHAM, or nrrnn non'rcnarn, NEW JERSEY, nssrenon 'ro nitrvnnsan s'rnmrnve MACHINE :rnnsnr. I

. Tool; whom it may-concern Be it known that I, GEORGE Gleam,

a citizen 'of the United States, residing at- Upper- Montclain-in the'county of :Essex and State of New Jersey, have lnvented a new and useful Improvement in Tnking-I Mechanism, of which the following is particularly specification. I I

This invention relates generally to mailmarking and other similar .machines and to that class of such machines I illustrated and described-in United States Letters Patent to George H. Graham, No.

' 1,022,191, dated'April 2, 1912, havingin-the present instance referenceto the inker for supplying ink to the marking instrumentalitiesthereof,

' I Heretofore difficulties have been encountered in practice in supplying the proper quantity of ink to the inkroll' so that a uniform application of ink to the marking die shall be assured to the end that the die will make a clean and legible impression on the passing matter. I a g 'mprovements have for their object to overcome such defective operation,

The present to provide asimple and eficient mechanism for the purpose, to' render'the same easily removable and adjustable, and'sfurtherto obviate or materially lessen the wear of the felt ink roll andits becoming ridged or grooved. I

' The accompanying drawings illustrate so much of the machine referred to together with 'the improvements, as ismaterial to thedescription to' follow; in'which drawings Figure 1, is a plan View, the ink tank cover being removed; lBig. 2, is a front eleposed rotatin vation, the said cover being indicated by dotted lines and its holding thumb screws omitted; Fig. 3, is a transverse section partially in elevation; "the die hub being removed; and Fig. 4, is a transverse section on'the line, 4:, 4', of Fig.

As in said patent, (using'the same refer ence numbers for corresponding parts as therein) the upper table plate B, supports bearings for a rotatingspindle 16 carrying the trip pressure roller 16, which in this in-. stance is preferably rubber covered; an op- I spindle 49 carrying trip feed rollers 1 a die and clutch feed rotating s indle 56 carrying inzpart the die hub 19, eyed to the spindle and supportlng head 28, forming a bearing for the 'end' of an adjusting screw 29, see Fig. 4c

coivr-rnnY, on NEW YORK, N. Y., n-conronarron or NEW INKING'MEC HANISM.

pinned to'a short spindle '90, that is mounted 1nl one end of a lever 3., carried by a rock spindle 91; the other-connected parts being I as shown and described in said patent." The operation of this mechanism is such that y when each. piece. of mail or othermatter moving in the direction of the arrow a,,

when passing between the trip feed and pressure rollers 17 16, .encountersthe trip "finger 2, and moves it in the direction of the arrow 6, which through its connections thereupon releases the clutch or friction Patented JTuTy 11, 1916., a 5 Application filed-December 18, 1915', Serial in). 807,384. "Renewed January 12; v19-15. Serial m. 1,881.

driven die-spindle, 56, permits it and the die hub to rotate so that the piece ofmatter m then, passing between the marking die "hub 19,- and the impression roller 18 is properly impressed by the canceling bars and I die thereof-to be subsequently delivered.

,LT properly ink-the marking die-+-in this instance the canceling bars 0, and die d,-there isprovided, an inking roll- 25,

preferably 'of felt, loosely and rotatably -mounte'd on a knurled hcaded pin '26, that" is held in 'bearings in the outer ends of an inkercarrying arm '65, This arm 65, is

fromthe table B, and has an extension 67,

pivoted, or trunnioned thereto a ball shaped lain The outer end of this screw is fast to a knurled finger-piece 30, forreadyturning; and the screw-threaded end engages a nut supported loosely on a stud 27, projecting 31, of cylindrical plug shape that is supported loosely in a counterbore in .a stud 32, projecting from the table. The ball shaped head 28, has an enlargement 20, coincident with the fingerepiece 30,,which on, its contacting-face has a series of shallow countersinks to-be engaged by a spring pressed de-= tent or ball 21, carried by the finger piece, to permit the free turning of thefingerpiece and its screw 29, and yet hold them on ment. The construction is suchthat when 65, is rocked bodily on its stud 27,530 that each adjustment against accidental inovethe screws the tank may bebodily. removed. The rear wall of the ink tank 66, supports a horizontal-outwardlyrprojecting":stud 69,

. 67, Fig. 1, entering holes in said plate. and

the inking felt .roller 25, is therebymoved with, respect to the marking die toward or from it as the need of more or less supply I .carrying an ink feed wheel 34, that freely rotates on a'knurled headed pin 35, mounted in said armfor ready removal. The arms The grooved'pulleys 73, 75 are but of line so that the driving belt 74 in passing around.

65, and 3 3, are otherwise connected together,

as by a coiled spring '36,- so" that the feed wheel 34, is held in proper contact with the inking felt roller 25, which rotates by frictional contact and .by like contact with the marking die when it rotates.

The ink feed wheel 3.4, instead of having direct surface contact withthe inking roller 25, is reduced in diameter and is encircledby a helix or spirallya'rranged Wire 37, ex-

tending' from top to bottom of the feed wheel andproperly secured thereto, which helix in itself makes surfacecontact with the inking roller; the result being,.a's the roller and wheel with its helix rotate in frictional contact, the helix being of different diameter to the inking roller,'the felt of that roller is constantly being. ironed down or smoothed, as well, .as hereafter explained, supplyingin'k thereto.

The-surface of the helix 37, of the wheel 34:, is arranged to, receive from an-ink tank 66, to thereby apply such ink to the surface of the inking roller 2'5. In the-preferred embodiment of the invention the application of ink to the" surface of the helix as will bepresently described.

properly supported on the front edgeof i is automatic, power being obtained from some suitable movingpartof the machine,-

the' machine plate B,.as by integral studs held by set screws 68,'so that by loosening thrust or push on the sleeve 70, free to outward movement, but tending to keep the ink feeder 72 toward the inner side of the tank to thus automatically gain any degree of .v'e' the pulley 73, imparts a constantly inward I wipe of the feeder against the helix. 37. of

the .feed wheel 34, no matter howthe inker carrying arm 65 may be adjusted. The position of the feeder 72, however, against this thrust, 'is regulated .by .athumb headed screw tapped into theend of the sleeve 70 with its end bearing against the end ofthe" stud 69; a j am-nut 51 being provided to lock the adjustment To prevent spattering of the ink from the feed wheel 34 and itshelix 37, the'carrying'arm 'has a guard or plate 38, Fig. 1, onits inner side.

- Thezink tank has a lip 65 with its mouth above the normal levelo'f the ink, for con veniently. supplying ink thereto; and its cover 64, protecting its contents from 'dirt and. the passage of extraneous substances thereto, has apair of dowels 63, which enter holes-62 in.-the tankand fixed by wing headed screws 61.

64, may be removed by loosening the wing} headed screws .6l; the sleeve with its ink feeder 72.may be removed. from their sup porting stud 69, by slipping the belt 7 4'fromthepulle'ys 3, or eitherof them; the ink- 4 b -.tank 66, may be bodilyremoved from the" .The ink tank 66, is f rectangular form table B by loosening the two setscrews 68 I 5 Each of the units of the inker as-shown,

are separately removable without disturb- 7 ing other-parts. Thus, the ink-tank cover and pulling the tank laterally outward; and

the carrying arm 65' with its rollers 25,34 maybe lifted bodily off the stud 27 carryingjwith-it the adjustingscrew29 and. lift.-..

aradially extending pin or arm 71, that:

applies a suitable quantity or film of ink to the 'surfa'ce of said helix, whether it,,at that particular, moment, be-stationary or rotat-.

ing; 5 To properly'rotate this ink"carry ing.

blade 7 2, its carrying sleeve 7 0, has secured to its outer end a grooved pulley-73, cine braced by a suitable belt'74, receiving-h m tionfrom apulley 7 5, fast to a s'pindle 76',i

- ing its. plug shaped nut 31 from the stud 32 be removed separately from the arms '65Tand pins 26,35."

to operate a counter} (not shown), for 'regis tering' each rotationbf the diejs'pindlef56' -When released byjthe encounter of apiece o matter with the end of the trip. finger 2'."

"-Tlie'1iniproved inker hereindescribed' is obviously adapted in its separate units and .collectively' for use. with. machines other .;than thatl-offth'-"character.' described, such thatin this instance is mounted inbearings 77, fast: to the bottom plate A of the. ma

for' instancegas those" arranged count as .110 and r r; e h "of the rollers 25, 34- m y 33by liftingtheir respective"knurlfheaded. 4 mounted a sleeve 70, having ahub carry ng- 1 w i 1 .Well asto the passing. matter, whether er.:-,1 Th akingtfde my l -1 a y d sir d t 'rf an ith k j ard j oneylltll be a perforating, puncturing, abrading or embossing die' taking ink from an inking roller suflicientto stain suchperforation,

puncture, abrasion or embossing and therej by render it more legible.-

It will be observed that the ink supplying mechanism as described is operated only when the printing roller, or marking and canceling die 56 is actuated; and that it is operated intermittently according to the operation' of said marking and canceling die,

which latter is operated only as and when mail matter is passing through the machine and according to the-amount of mail which and as a result clean clear-cut impressions- I w1ll be made onall mail matter passing is passed through the machine and canceled. Thusthe' inking mechanism is not operated until and unless mail matter is 1 passing through the machine, and therefore ink is not accumulated on the printing" and ink: ing roller when" the' machine is running. idle,

through the machine; What is claimed is;

mally inactiveprinting roller or die, and. normally inactive ink, supplying mechanism therefor, said ink supply mechanism operating only whenthe die is operating; with means whereby saiddie and ink supplying mechanism are caused to operate only when mail matter is passing throughthe machine and according to the amount of such mail matterf i Q.

2. In a mail marking'machine, anormally inactive printing roller or die, and means' for operating said die only when. mail is passing through the machme and according to the amount of suchmail matter; with. normally inactive inking mechanism tor said die includinga' rotatable ink-applyin roller adapted toink the die and a rota; ta le ink supplyingiroller triction'ally con: tacting with the ink applying roller, and means whereby such ink applying and ink supplying ,rollers are operated only upon and in accordance with the operation of the die. I

3. In a-mail marking machine, a'normally inactive printing roller or die; a normally inactive inking mechanism therefor com-- prising a rotatable ink-applying. roller adapted to. ink the die, a rotatable ink-supplying roller. contactingwith the ink applying roller, and an ink feeding mechanism, said inking mechanism operating only when the die is operating; with 'means whereby til tilt

said die and inking mechanism are caused to operate only when mail matter is passing through the machine and according to the amount of such mail matter.

4.-.l[n combination a normally inactive printing roller or die, a normallyinactive ink-roller vfor applying ink to the die, a normally inactive ink roller supplying ink to 1. In a mail marking ma'chine, a' northe ink-applying roller'ran ink supply and normally inactive ink-feeder conveying ink from the supply to the ink-supplying roller, and means whereby such inking rollers are 1 operated only upon and in accordance with the operation of the die.

5. In; combination a normally inactive printing roller or die, a normally inactive ink-roller for "applying ink to-the die, and a normally inactive ink roller supplying ink to the ink-applying roller, said rollers being conveying ink from the supply to the inksupplying roller; with means whereby such inking rollers andfeeder are operated only -mounted on parallel axes, an'ink supply I v and a normally inactive rotatable ink-feeder upon'an'd in accordance with the operationof the die.' I

6. In .-combination a rotatable printing n roller or die, a rotatable ink-applying roller therefor,arotatable ink supplying roller having a peripheral helix contacting the ink-applying roller, said rollers being mountedon' arallel axes; and means for holding said inking rollers in contact; with an inkdeed'ermounted on an axis perpen- 8. A rotatable printing roller, a rotatable ink vapplying roller. in frictional contact therewith, an inking roller in frictional contact with the ink-applying roller, each of said rollers. on vertical axes, and a rotatable ink-feeder on a horizontal axis intermittently applying ink in its rotation to said inking rollerj I 9. A rotatable printing roller, a rotatable ink-applying roller in frictional contact therewith, a rotatable helix in frictional contact with the ink applying roller, each of said rollers on vertical axes, and a rotatable ink-feeder on ,a horizontal axis intermittently applying ink in its rotation to the rotatable helix. v

10. A rotatable printing roller, a rockarm, a rotatable ink-applying rollercarried.

by saidrock-arm and in a frictional contact with the printing roller, a rotatable inking .roller in frictional contact with said inkapplying roller, each of said rollers on vertical axes, and a rotatable ink-feeder on a horizontal axis intermittently applying ink in its rotation to said inking roller.

11. A rotatable printing roller, a rockarm, a rotatable ink-applying roller carried the-ink-applying roller, each of said rollers said rock-arm and in frictional contact 7 with the printing roller, another rock-arm, an inkin roller carried by said latter rockarm an frictionally engaging said inkapplying roller, each of said rollers on vertical axes, anda rotatable ink-feeder on a horizontal axis intermittently applying ink in its rotation to said inking roller;

12. A rotatable printing roller, a -rockarm, a rotatable ink-applying roller carried by said rock-arm and in frictional contact "with the printing roller, another rock-arm having a pivot common to the first named rock arm, a rotatable helix carried by said other: rock-arm in frictional contact with mounted on vertical axes, and a rotatable v ink-feeder on a'horizontal axis intermit- 'tently applying; ink to the helix.

13. A rotatable printing roller, two rockarms mounted on a common pivot, a rotatable ink-applying roller carried by one 7 rock-arm and in a frictional contact with the printing roller, a rotatable inking roller car- .ried by the other rock-arm and in a frictional contact with the ink-applying roller, each of said rollers and rock-arms on ver- .tical axes, means for simultaneously adjusting said rock-arms with their respective rollers toward or from the printing roller, and v a 'rota table.ink -feeder on a horizontal axis for applying ink to the inking roller.

. 14, A rotatable printing roller, two rockarms mounted on a common p1vot, a"ro tatable'in'k-appl'ying roller carried by one rock-arm and in africtional-contact withthe printing roller, a rotatable inking carried by the other rock-arm, a spring'conroller necting'both of said arms whereby the inking r0 1 other arm, eachof said rollers and rock-arms j on vertical axes, means connected with one rock -arm for simultaneously adjusting both of said rock-arms with their respective rollers toward or from the printing roller and a rotatable ink-feeder on a horizontal axis for intermittently applying ink to' the inking roller.

ing

er of one arm is held in frictional contact with the ink-applying roller of the 415. A rotatable printing roller, two rockarms mounted on a common pivot, a rotatable ink-applying roller carried by one rock-arm and in frictional contact with the printing roller, a rotatable inking roller carried by the other rock-arm, a spring connecting both of said arms whereby the inking roller of one arm is held in frictional contact with the ink-applying roller of the other arm, each of said rollers and rockarms on vertical axes, means for adjusting both of said arms with their respective rollers simultaneously toward or from the printing roller, and a rotatable ink-feeder laterally adjustable on a horizontal axis toone arm is held in frictional contact with the roller of the otherarm, a fixed stud, a

- nut seated in said stud and an adjusting screw supported by one of said rock-arms engaging said 'nut.

17. The hereindescribed inker, comprisa rotatable inking roller on a vertical ax1s,-an ink tank, and a rotatable ink-feeder mounted on a horizontal axis for applying ink to the inking roller and laterally movable on its axis to vary its contact with the a roller and to compensate for the wear.

- 18. The hereindescribed inker, comprising a rotatable inking roller, an ink tank a fixed stud, a rotatable ink-feeder laterally mov-,

able on said stud and passing throughthe ink tank and contacting with the inking roller, means for constantly pressing the ink-feeder toward the said roller, and a limitingstop for controlling the amount of contact of the ink-feeder with the inking.

roller.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' GEORGE H. GRAHAM.-

-Witnesses:

JOHN W. CLARK, FRED. J. A. ISOMMERHOLDER. 

